My Caminohttp://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl
3 700 km from Poland to Santiago de CompostelaSat, 16 Mar 2019 11:16:21 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.410 Rules of the pilgrim: #8 Rely on yourselfhttp://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2019/03/16/10-rules-of-the-pilgrim-8-rely-on-yourself/
http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2019/03/16/10-rules-of-the-pilgrim-8-rely-on-yourself/#respondSat, 16 Mar 2019 11:16:21 +0000http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/?p=645So it's ok to ask for help and enjoy receiving it. But we need to do everything, to be able to continue our pilgrimage without such help.

Leaving home, I was counting on people. I’ve counted on people and a bit on God. After all, He won’t let pilgrim dye. After all, people will help. After all … After all … We often rely on others in our pilgrimage and life. Sometimes on fate or God’s intervention. “I bought a backpack of 15 liters, but I’ll go full Camino – 800 km. It’ll work out somehow. God will take care of me“- I’ve seen such confessions somewhere. “I have no money, but people will support me, after all it’s God’s way” – that’s somewhere else again.

Camino teaches responsibility. It’s a therapy for relying too much on others, often such attitude, that turns into a set of demands or in a grudge against people, when one meet a refusal. Such relying may easily become a childish usurpation, that I am entitled to this or that, because … I am a pilgrim.

I know such irresponsible and demanding approach from my own experience, because… I was such a person to some extent. “How could this priest sent me out? How could these people…?” – Hastily I formed negative remarks and opinions in my mind.

And yet – we are entitled to nothing. And yet – by presenting such attitudes, i.e. not relying on ourselves, but on others or on the world – we become, in fact, a burden to the people. A burden that shows up on the road to Santiago or somewhere in life.

So it’s ok to ask for help and enjoy receiving it. But we need to do everything, to be able to continue our pilgrimage without such help. Through the next day, week… Through the rain. Through sadness and hardship.

Then, we won’t be disturbed by people’s behavior. Because “we can do it” ourselves. Because we no longer hold others responsible for our fate, our “way”. Because we’re relying on ourselves. Only then we can fully see and appreciate gifts we receive. From God, from people, from the world. Because everything we get in life, is an unearned gift.

Then our pilgrimage starts to make sense, because it’s we, who setting it up, creating it, building it out from our pain, effort, resources. Then… we ourselves can become a gift for the others, that’s mean sometimes a helping hand, gesture, advice, something material that will help other people in their own struggle. And maybe it is the essence of the Camino, that precious gifts that pilgrims become for each other on the way to Saint. Jacob.

Counting on ourselves in connection with trusting God changes a man, because it changes the world. The world from the “world of taking” becomes the “world of giving“. Because in order to give, you have to give up – sacrifice to some extend – yourself. What for? To reach? What exactly? On Camino – Santiago de Compostela. In life… what we want to achieve, what we miss so much. Unless we head on only to the next bar, i.e. the date on the calendar with the inscription “tomorrow“. Pilgrims know, however, that this is only a temporary stop, a means to their goal, ultimately … to eternity.

]]>http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/12/29/conversation-about-my-camino-with-dan-mullins/feed/010 Rules of the pilgrim: #9 Trust Godhttp://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/12/28/10-rules-of-the-pilgrim-trust-god/
http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/12/28/10-rules-of-the-pilgrim-trust-god/#commentsFri, 28 Dec 2018 23:17:06 +0000http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/?p=530Trusting God is on one hand widely disputed and well rehearsed subject, but on the other it’s sometimes very difficult to practice. First let’s notice that on Camino one can…

Trusting God is on one hand widely disputed and well rehearsed subject, but on the other it’s sometimes very difficult to practice.

First let’s notice that on Camino one can meet people of almost every denomination and religion even atheists and agnostics. All these people walking on st. Jacobs paths create that phenomenon called Camino de Santiago.

More and more often, it’s stressed that atheists are also doing that pilgrimage, that Camino is for everyone. The religious dimension of pilgrimage becomes therefore overlooked and all turns into kind of traveling, getting to know others, seeking self-development and self-fulfillment.

It happens that taking a religious position in the context of Camino may be treated as an inappropriate or something quirk that “insults” unbelievers and atheists. But I think that there is more to this wide attendance on Camino by people from “beyond” christian faith. I suppose these “atheists” are dreaming about God. They miss Him, like a dry land starved of water. They just not interested in “God” which one or another Christian congregation has “on offer”.

So, how we can trust God? It can’t be done against ourselves, in spite what we think and feel. We can’t force ourselves to it. We can make us walk, but we can’t make us really trust. Just as we can’t really forgive simply by a decision and sheer will. We can make beautiful statements about it, but will it really change us?

It is difficult to trust a Judge, who has a long list of possible offenses, looks at a man from above, who can really condemn one to eternal death or torment. Fear? – Yes. Awe? – Yes. Reverence and worship? – Yes. But trust?

Maybe we can trust God easier when we “see” Him as a friend, as someone who walks next to us along the Camino Frances, offering a helping hand on the muddy slopes of Camino del Norte. Who sits with us in the evening, enjoys our very presence, our voice, the unique expression of our eyes. And when we sleep, He looks at us with a thousand stars and has only one wish – us to be happy.

If this is how the God really is, then in such a God we can trust. Simply. Without effort. Naturally.

We need to trust God when other sources of trust fail. When alberga is full, when white squall, when our legs refuse to obey us, when… we are alone and there’s no hope. It is good to trust Him, when we look to the future and what we see, brings us fear or anxiety. It’s exactly then, when we can trust Friend and believe that it’ll be good. Because He is. With us.

This Friend, however, does not intend us to simply “use” Him, to say “hocus pocus” or a prayer and “somehow” it’ll be, as we want to. He’s not going to do too much for us. He wants us to blossom, yes with Him and his help. He wants our effort, faith and foresight. Trust does not mean ignoring difficulties, omitting your own reasoning or lack of responsibility. Confidence, that comes from trust, means willingness to act, the ability to make an effort and take reasonable risk.

Trust God, means to look more brightly to the future. To discern some good, that we’ve not seen yet. To find out the courage that exists despite the fears. To go and make pilgrimage, because then there’s is strength in us, kind of warmth, some kind of brightness which – through what we do and wherever we go – creates new and wonderful things. Like Camino ways…

“It’s too late” – such a statement, thought, feeling, sometimes comes to our mind. “It’s not for me”, “Not anymore“, “I’m done with such things” – these are other kinds of the same generalization that we conclude from our life.

We usually perceive our life as an object. “From life, from the apple cut by the flaming knife, what grain will be saved? ” – Poet asked.

So we see our life and ourselves as something determined, finite, having a certain shape and properties, certain features. It’s a mistake. The error of thinking, which wants to put everything into a certain network of meanings and images, in order to be able to move through such a world, created by our consciousness.

Meanwhile, life is a process, it is something that happens just now and in a moment, and it will happen again. Life is a movement, not some being or an object. Life is a journey. In the end, life is a pilgrimage.

So what we are is constant movement, heading for somewhere or something. We cannnot stop moving through time, events, the circumstances of our lives. We can, due to our mistake, stop in development, in having hope or just in space.

Pilgrim is always on the move. Not because he act against himself through sheer will, but because he is a pilgrim, he is a man on the way.

It is never too late for our biggest dreams and expectations. It is never too late for the “Way”. It doesn’t matter if we reach our destination physically. The only what matters is whether we will strive for it with all the hope and courage we have.

It is this pursuit and effort that lead us out of our – sometimes so closed – privisional, daily life to the paths and ways leading towards GOAL. This is how we become pilgrims, the people for whom it’s never too late: “to put shoes on”, to say “goodbye”, to everything what they knew so far, and move towards heart is longing for.

And in the end, wouldn’t be great to see these words describing just us: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith“.

If you wold like to see how it was to walk from my home town to Santiago de Compostela, about 3700km, here is the LINK for you

You may also see pictures from every day of this 120 days pilgrimage on this site.

]]>http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/12/22/10-rules-of-the-pilgrim-nr-10-its-never-to-late/feed/0Camino 2015, pictures: day 130 Warsawhttp://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-130-warsaw/
http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-130-warsaw/#respondTue, 04 Sep 2018 05:42:35 +0000http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/?p=468In 130 day of my Camino I boarded plane in Santiago. Seeing the empty seat by the window on the right, I asked the steward if I could change place.…

]]>In 130 day of my Camino I boarded plane in Santiago. Seeing the empty seat by the window on the right, I asked the steward if I could change place. “After the instruction,” he replied. After what instruction? But a moment later I knew. He stood in front and gestured. What to do, when there’s nothing to do. Cool. The plane broke off silently. First 10, 20 meters. Then higher and higher. Things slowly became signs, lines, points. Flight to Madrid was short. New airport – what a mess. Hive. Densely. Tightly. Hot.

I tried to take pictures, seeing nothing on the screen of my broken cellphone. Some of them are ok, others not. Those worth a look, I posted below. “So what. Are you changed? “A medical graduate sitting next to me, asked me a question. I hesitated for a moment. But finally I told the truth – Calmer. Maybe that’s the point. Not how much we had experienced, saw, what kind of memories we had gathered. Maybe it’s about whether it changed us or not? What has changed in us? For a while. Permanently. Are we a different person thanks to Camino?

The answer that one would like to give is “Of course, that’s a great experience!” The answer that may come after time: “Maybe not. Actually I am similar, similar to the person who was in the beginning.” So did something change? Does something change in us? I think yes. When I look carefully at myself, at my different attempts and endeavors, I come to the conclusion that the change is happening, but every change which is true, in fact, is gradual, in total – slow. So if there is only a little change in you, in me, it’s not bad at all, that’s just fine. Because it’s a step, because every our journey consists of such steps. And then at the end, it is hard to believe that we’ve reached so far, trying to make just this next step.

And this is the END, my posts, presenting pictures of my Camino. This is a little weird, looking back now. Four months of these notes on facebook. But that was something. And that’s what I wish you all. Establishing distant goals, then be stubborn and have courage. In a stream of our days, this stubbornness and consistency, changes everything. It allows us to go, wherever we go. It’s kind of engine. I sincerely thank everyone who gave to these posts a “like”, every one who looked at the pictures, each one who posted a comment to my notes. I am just grateful to you, because it is kind of, I know virtual and imperfect, being together. And where if not on St James paths one can experience both – loneliness and being together – with unparalleled intensity? So … go on your own way, make your journey. Write it with your own steps. Be for others as shelter. And may St. Jacob and the Father himself will always be for us on the roads we go, with helping hand.
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First six days of my Journey in English to read for free:

]]>http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-130-warsaw/feed/0Camino 2015, pictures: day 129 Santiago de Compostelahttp://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-129-santiago-de-compostela/
http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-129-santiago-de-compostela/#respondTue, 04 Sep 2018 05:40:48 +0000http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/?p=465129 day since I left my home was Sunday. I was still in Santiago. I slept well in Aquarius, although two pilgrims next to me, had some dirty clothes so…

]]>129 day since I left my home was Sunday. I was still in Santiago. I slept well in Aquarius, although two pilgrims next to me, had some dirty clothes so the smell was disturbing.

All the gifts I bought the day before. I just walked to Cathedral for a mass. I say in a way, to be able to see the big flying incense burner. In the afternoon I took my staff from Aquarius and went to a bus station. From there rode by bus to the airport. I liked it. I never flight by airplane before. On the airport I tried to sleep in some separated part, but a woman in uniform informed me, that it will be closed. So I changed my place.

I learned to make photo or a movie with no picture on the screen of my cellphone. So I made a few photos. You may watch them below. One view especially took my attention, it was a inscription carved in a pavement: “Europe was made on the pilgrim road to Compostela”. They say it’s quote from Goethe. And who knows? Maybe it’s true? Maybe people of this unique continent, full of so many different nations and languages, really found something common on this road? Some kind of mechanism and value that bonds them together, that shows them, that they’re similar, that they share values, dreams, identity… And maybe Santiago tells this story again – this time – to us. And maybe others will add to that amazing story their own new chapters, by effort, experience, humanity. Walking along St. James paths. Maybe it will be you, maybe even me – some day. Wish you that, because… it is just a beautiful way…

]]>http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-129-santiago-de-compostela/feed/0Camino 2015, pictures: day 128 Santiago de Compostelahttp://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-128-santiago-de-compostela/
http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-128-santiago-de-compostela/#respondTue, 04 Sep 2018 05:38:22 +0000http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/?p=463It was saturday, 128 day since I crossed the threshold of my home and started my journey. I ride from Fisterra to Santiago by bus. Screen of my cellphone ultimately…

]]>It was saturday, 128 day since I crossed the threshold of my home and started my journey. I ride from Fisterra to Santiago by bus. Screen of my cellphone ultimately went dead. It was all wet, during events between Negreira and Olveiroa. So… there are no pictures.

I stayed in albergue Aquarius. Not expensive (10 Euro) but in a New Age style. I went to the city, blended in its streets, visit cathedral. I felt as I always lived there. Strange feelings. Next day was Sunday, so I decided to go for a mass, and still last time to see Santiago. On Monday I had my flight back to Poland.

]]>http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-128-santiago-de-compostela/feed/0Camino 2015, pictures: day 127 Fisterrahttp://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-127-fisterra/
http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-127-fisterra/#respondTue, 04 Sep 2018 05:36:22 +0000http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/?p=461My Pilgrimage ended in Santiago. Actually it ended two times, first time in Santiago, second in Fisterra. But I stayed there one more day. I found accommodation in Hungarian albergue,…

]]>My Pilgrimage ended in Santiago. Actually it ended two times, first time in Santiago, second in Fisterra. But I stayed there one more day. I found accommodation in Hungarian albergue, where I met two Americans, Bill and Jossie. In the evening I went to the beach and sat there for a very, very long time…

]]>http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-127-fisterra/feed/0Camino 2015, pictures: day 126 Fisterrahttp://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-126-fisterra/
http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/2018/09/04/camino-2015-pictures-day-126-fisterra/#respondTue, 04 Sep 2018 05:35:03 +0000http://camino-en.zbyszeks.pl/?p=458Where the pilgrimage ends? Where and when? Probably, when no more steps can be made. Because there’s no more land, because it’s Finis Terrae. I know people walking further, making…

]]>Where the pilgrimage ends? Where and when? Probably, when no more steps can be made. Because there’s no more land, because it’s Finis Terrae. I know people walking further, making circles. I don’t get it. This last day of walking was very hard for me, although still beautiful. My body started to send some alarming signals after four months of walking, tried to say – it is enough. I reach Fisterra early. Got a bed in albergue. On the street… yep, I met Staszek, whom i met the first time in Almuna. These meetings on Camino – miracles. We bought beer and iceream, and walked to the beach, to watch sunset. Staszek had a good reflex camera, me just my broken cellphone. I just watched. I could sit like that, forever… I’m not exactly sure – why. Then coming back, farewell, albergue. Most pilgrim went outside. I had flight home three days later. I decided to stay in Fisterra.

But still the question from the beginning remains. Where our pilgrimage ends? What is the goal of our pilgrimage, actually? Because somehow I felt that we’re going much further that to Santiago, although it’s so far. Where are we going? To where we’re heading? Finally maybe to home? To the place, where we’re supposed to be? Or maybe such home doesn’t exist, and all of it are just delusions? We don’t know that. We are on the road. We believe. We go towards unknown, meeting pain, suffer, beauty and joy. This Unknown is unknown for real. But it’s unknown only now. Because sometime we’ll reach the end of our pilgrimage, and we’ll make one more step. It would be good, to hear in that moment: “You have fought a good fight, You have finished course. Welcome” which I wish to myself and to all you reading this note.

]]>Muxia, 125 day, 33 km from Olveira. I reached Muxia extremely tired. Especially, after the day before. But I made it. Weather changed from hour to hour. Mostly wind and rain. I went to the charming church by the sea. Then returned to albergue. Talked to some people from Holland. Finally got rest, before my last day of walking.
——————-First six days of my pilgrimage in English